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Name:
Margaret Hansen
Assignment:
Day Treatment Services program, Pre-school 2 Classroom
How long have you been volunteering at The Children's Place:
19 Years
 Why do you volunteer at The Children's Place?
When I moved here twenty years ago, I was looking for a place to volunteer. The Children's Place had just moved into my neighborhood, so I checked it out. I mention this because volunteering there gave more to me than I gave to the agency....I was instantly involved in my new city. I was a retired school art teacher who loved pre-schoolers and who, at that time, had lots of time to give. I even was a substitute teacher at The Children's place early on and got to know all of the classrooms. I also have great respect for the agency and its place in our city. The staff, especially the teachers I have had the privilege to work with (and there have been many over the years in my class!) deserve much praise for becoming so involved with these special children.
Describe one of your favorite Children’s Place moments?
My volunteer day is field trip day, so I have accompanied little ones all over town. Discounting all of the buckling and unbuckling, and a few public meltdowns, we have had fun.
What makes The Children's Place special, and a great place to volunteer?
When I first told people I was volunteering there, friends asked if it was depressing. Actually, it is not...the children I have met through the years are so courageous, resilient and brave that I find them inspiring. I think of The Children's Place as a greenhouse where wilted, broken plants come to bloom...and bloom they do! Because the children are delayed, they catch up right before your eyes. Some will always have deficits and may not continue to flourish, but for the months or years they are at the agency, they bloom.
Happy Anniversary, Children's Place! Enjoy another thirty.
With love to my little friends, Miss Margaret
P.S. I have even learned a lot about parenting and grandparenting from the presentations and teaching.
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